In the wake of Mike Brown‘s dismissal, there has been plenty of speculation that De’Aaron Fox played a role in the Kings‘ decision, given that Brown was often critical of Fox when speaking to the media, including in the final days before he was let go. The Kings star was asked by one reporter over the weekend whether he felt “pressure or guilt” about Brown losing his job.
However, Fox has adamantly denied any involvement in the move, telling ESPN that he was on good terms with Brown and liked being coached hard by him. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, team and league sources have backed up Fox’s account.
Brown himself is known to believe that Fox had nothing to do with the decision, league sources tell The Athletic. While general manager Monte McNair claimed responsibility for the coaching change, Amick writes that team owner Vivek Ranadivé was actually the “driving force” behind Brown’s ouster. Ranadivé has not spoken to the media.
Here’s more on the Kings:
- The decision to fire a well-respected coach and then not adequately explain the decision to reporters is a textbook example of how to turn Fox into a “sympathetic figure” and perhaps make him more justified in seeking a change of scenery sooner or later, Amick observes. Fox has not asked for a trade, per league sources who spoke to The Athletic, but potential suitors are monitoring the situation closely. Among those teams, there’s a belief that the Kings point guard is more likely to become available in the offseason than prior to the February 6 trade deadline, Amick reports. Fox will be extension-eligible again next summer after passing on a new deal this past offseason.
- According to Amick, the Spurs, Heat, and Lakers are atop the list of teams most frequently discussed as possible suitors for Fox if he becomes available via trade. The Magic and Rockets are among the other clubs thought to be considering the idea of pursuing Fox, though “the Spurs noise is the loudest,” Amick says.
- For the time being, the Kings are focused on upgrading their current roster and don’t intend to entertain inquiries on Fox, according to Amick, who confirms that Nets forward Cameron Johnson is high on the team’s wish list, as Michael Scotto of HoopsHype previously reported. Sacramento has had “extensive” discussions with Brooklyn about Johnson, Amick writes.
- The Kings moved to 2-1 under interim head coach Doug Christie with a 113-107 victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday. Defensive ace Keon Ellis earned a start and played a season-high 38 minutes, with Sacramento outscoring the Sixers by 17 points during Ellis’ time on the court. “He’s amazing,” Kings center Domantas Sabonis said of Ellis, per Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. “He’s a professional. He stays ready, and he’s always there when we need him, especially on defense.”
If Fox isn’t mentally tough enough to handle Mike Brown’s style, then Udoka and Pop would make him cry…just go to the pels to do what you want…
Or the lakers where they will coddle him
Trade idea
Lakers get Fox and Monk
Kings get Rui, Vincent, Vanderbilt, Christie, JHC and draft picks
Christie and JHC have hype
Monk is the Lakers 6th man
Laker would need to put reeves in there instead of Vincent and vanderbilt plus 3 1st round picks.
So, the Lakers spare parts for two productive players?
No.
Before making assumptions on Fox’s mental toughness one could read the article where it points out that team and league sources along with Fox state that he’s on good terms and liked being coached hard by Mike Brown. It’s also important to point out that several sources have said that he hasn’t asked for a trade. It could be that Fox wants to win meaningful games and is frustrated playing for a team that seems to be mired in mediocrity.
@Tacocat1331 and Fox feeling that way is fair. Very few players can drag a garbage roster to the playoffs and he has played on his share of either bad teams or rosters that don’t make enough sense.
The Kangz
Why does explaining a decision to reporters matter? That conversation could have happened with the team, or Fox individually already. I think members of the media get butt hurt when they aren’t notified of everything that a team does.
It’s a matter of optics. Fox and the rest of the Kings players have had to answer reporters’ questions about it (including whether Fox feels “guilt”). It’s just not a great look for the person or people who actually made the decision not to do the same, especially given the speculation about Fox’s role.
It’s also a matter of how some reporters are given bonuses, assessed promotions, and other positives depending on how many “scoops” they can get or add to. It’s an unethical business, tbh. Reason #1 I went into law instead of media.
Kings owner was the #1 factor behind the decision. Changing coaches will not make them better. the GM is the one who should have been fired.
@EonADS Same, when I was in high school I wanted to be in sports media so bad, and went onto that path in college, then as I learnt about the profession and went, nah actually, this stinks, not for me, and switched my major.
Sarcasm, right?
Luke, another explanation is that Ranadive, like so many owners that make tough personnel decisions, doesn’t pay attention to or care about media reaction.
Ranadive would tell you that it’s about “results”. Brown wasn’t the guy and wins and losses are all.that matters. He fires leaders often, and it’s never worthwhile to extend the process. This is no different.
This perspective is consistent with Hobby916’s that the media has a delusional sense of self-importance.
@aristotle Ranadive isn’t even taking responsibility for the decision — he’s letting it fall to McNair (who was the only person quoted in the press release announcing Brown’s firing) while rumors swirl about Fox’s involvement.
Maybe if he were to speak to reporters (not because he cares about their reaction but because he wants to accept responsibility for the move, explain to fans why he thinks it’s the right one, and take the spotlight off Fox), he’d convey the sentiment you’re speculating he would, but as long as he’s not saying anything publicly about it, we don’t really know.
Anyway, Amick’s point about the Kings not talking to the media about the move wasn’t “they owe us reporters an explanation!” — it was “hanging Fox out to dry like this is a weird thing to do while you’re trying to convince him to sign long-term.”
@lukeadams, thanks for the thoughtful response. Let me clarify what I said.
First, I’m not condoning the undignified manner that Ranadive fired Brown. I’m saying that the ownership perspective across all pro sports is that the importance of winning dwarves every other consideration for, as you call it, the “entertainment product”.
Winning leads to a higher gate, and improves retention and acquisition of players and coaches. Media criticism hurts a bit in the short-term, but that’s mouse-nuts compared to the consequences of another losing season. Once the ownership group, incorrectly or correctly, determined that Brown wasn’t the guy, no other consideration should prevent Brown being fired immediately.
Ranadive has fired many leaders in his time. With Brown, he’s following the same prescription that EVERY corporate board does when it fires a leader: offer a short thank you, and never again mention the departed (ignoring any media requests), and focus every ounce of attention on the future.
The idea that Ranadive or the Kings GM should talk more after the fact about who’s really responsible may strike you as morally correct, but that’s never the script.
@aristotle it’s fine to not pay attention to what the media is saying for the most part. But open your eyes, this franchise is a dumpster fire and it’s mostly due to rash decisions and lack of continuity. This firing is just the latest example of this.
Plus this is an entertainment product and having a positive relationship with the media can really help a franchise. This particular franchise can’t seem to get out of their own way on a very consistent basis.
@WillDS, I’m not arguing that this isn’t a dumptster fire, I’m simply telling you how every pro sports franchise, as with any corporation, manages public dismissal.
The mistake is to believe that talking more about the firing afterward can help the organization or remaining principals to save face, whereas the opposite invariably happens.
It’s a cardinal rule in PR.
You know you’re projecting when the only thing you can think of to say is “butt hurt”. Having a mature convo is key for adults. Childish ways should be put away.
Your first post in this thread could take your own advice, just sayin!
Davey J you get offended by everything. I’m thankful to have a balanced life where I don’t need a platform to fill voids.
This move had Vivak written all over it from the start. Only an owner will fire a coach so shortly after an extension
You know ball!
Fox in a Lakers jersey will be a beautiful thing to see!
An interesting possibility: when Moses Moody’s new contract starts and the poison pill is removed, he can be traded 1-1 for Fox or Sabonis, who are in the final years of their contracts. There’s lots of chatter about Mike Brown going back to GSW to join Kerr’s coaching team. Fox (or Sabonis) and Brown -could- be re-united in the span of a couple of months!
Things that will never happen for $400 Alex. the warriors would need to come up with $80 million in matching cap space for those 2. So unless the warriors send back Curry in the trade it would never happen. Sabonis is a PF playing center which is the Kings downfall. So the warriors would still lack a center. Sabonis defense at center is horrible. Kings would never trade with rivals GSW to improve them.
I’ve had a few 12 year old boys. This is something they’d come up with.
It’s posts like these from Davey that make you wonder whether he’s trying to get attention, nothing more.
I guess it works.
I wish people would not post trades that will not even closely ever happen. Why would Kings trade Fox unless they get a great package back? many people don’t even understand that payroll cap is the biggest reason why NBA trades are hard.
arc, Moses Moody straight up “1-1” for Fox or Sabonis IS a great package back to some Warriors fans.
ari, come on.., there’s “lots of chatter about Brown coming back to coach the Warriors in the span of a couple of months” even though he’ll be earning something like $15 million (or so?) to sit on the beach the next two years.
Most of these trade rumours often equate to homerism…
“They want out of their small market team to come play in LA or NY.”
Is basically…
“I really like that player and don’t want to travel to see them more often.”
Because they work out of LA or NY…
And with this new CBA the reporting is just getting more desperate because it’s much harder to make a trade work…
Add in the lack of free agency due to all of these extensions and most of what reporters got clicks for is gone…
So the moment ANYTHING happens it’s a pile on even if there is no smoke leading to any fire…
However the Kangs are indeed the Kangs… The attitude of the players in the game against the Spurs the day after Brown got fired… Was telling… The culture there is not great right now… And that’s usually a top down problem…
On Dec 21 it was reported “Rich Paul” spoke with the “Front Office” meaning Fox had Rich Paul complain for him about Brown calling him out in the media. Of course Fox will deny he did it…because he had Rich Paul do it for him.
Gary, speaking as somebody that’s been fired a couple of times in my life, I can confirm that the first thing you want to do is go work for another employer for free.